Voters hear from candidates ahead of election day

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — On Tuesday night, political candidates were given the chance to speak directly to voters as we quickly approach the November 3 election.

Nine candidates came out to the Kroc Center in Biloxi, to answer questions and inform community members before they hit the polls.

Voters filled the room as candidates running for seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives took the microphone to share their platforms. Candidates for Chancery Court Judge and Harrison County Court Judge also attended, discussing their priorities and hearing directly from voters ahead of election day.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hosted the event to help community members learn more about their candidates and make informed decisions at the polls.

“It’s a time for individuals to come out, they can hear the candidates, they can hear the issues, and they can come informed, so that they can be a more informed voter,” said Chapter President Monica Thomas-Hurst.

In attendance, running for Senate is Ty Pinkins.

“The root of the problem is money in politics. We have a corrupt government. In order for us to get anything done, we need to send Independents to Washington D.C. to hold both of them [Republicans and Democrats] accountable and try to get this money out of our politics,” said Pinkins. “That’s why when I started this campaign 10 months ago I made a conscious deliberate decision. I said I’m not taking money from millionaires, billionaires, … or lobbyists.”

For the House of Representatives, Carl Boyanton and Jeffrey Hulum III were in attendance.

“I offer experience. I’m also very, very against corruption in politics, which is one of the number one things we have today, and one of the number one issues we have is corruption in politics. I did the violations against [Steven] Palazzo, which got him out of office. I filed the FEC and ethics violations against Mike Ezell. We don’t need corrupt politicians. We need people that are actually going to go there and represent the people and not the party,” said Boyanton.

“In the state house, a lot of people thought I was a fool. First, I said prayer back in school. They said ‘Why would you push that?’ I said, ‘Because prayer fixes things. Prayer changes things. Prayer holds things up.’ Lean not on your own understanding. That’s what we need right now in the United States of America. We need someone who’s faith driven, battle tested, and community mind focused,” said Hulum III.

Several candidates vying for judicial seats were in attendance, making their case to voters ahead of election day.

“The one thing that I offer to the voters that is different than the other candidates in this race is my 30 years of judicial experience. I’ve been a Municipal Court Judge in Gulfport, Long Beach and Bay St. Louis, and I served as Youth Court Referee in Hancock County. I also served as Chancery Master in Harrison County,” said Stephen Maggio, candidate for Chancery Court Judge – District #8, Place 4. “So, that’s I think the one thing I bring that no other candidate in this race has.”

“My background is different than the other opponents. I have 15-plus years in the civil world, and also five-and-a-half years as Assistant District Attorney. And with that, I bring a broad perspective, so I can look at issues from all perspectives – from the civil side, from the criminal side, and I think a Chancery Court Judge needs that,” said Haley Necaise Broom, candidate for Chancery Court Judge – District #8, Place 4.

“I have over 25 years of chancery court experience, and then the last six years I’ve had the opportunity to do youth court as well, and that’s a different perspective, but it also all goes together. So, I believe that I’m qualified for this position,” said Frances “Fran” Yeatts, candidate for Chancery Court Judge – District #8, Place 4.

“We as human beings have a responsibility to insert as much love, and grace, and mercy, and hope, and forgiveness as we possibly can into their lives, so that’s kinda my judicial philosophy – following the law, but inserting love, grace, mercy, hope, and forgiveness,” said Mike Dickinson, Incumbent Harrison County Court Judge – Place 3.

“I’ve spoken to children who have told me about how there are some days where they don’t get to eat because there’s no food in the refrigerator, or because there is no food in the cabinets. I do this in my career. I do this for a living, and my commitment is to continue protecting children,” said Ashley McKnight, candidate for Harrison County Court Judge, Place 3.

With polls set to open November 3, now is the time for voters to learn more about the candidates on their ballots.